This is Jenny Lecoat’s second work of historical fiction. She has again written a dramatic and involving story. The novel is set on Jersey. Many may not know that the island was occupied by the Nazis which, of course, led to a difficult life for the islanders with subsequent issues of loyalty, collaboration and more. When the war ended there were many complex personal situations left in its wake.

This novel tells the story of two of these women and those around them. They are Jean and Hazel. Their stories and connections will engage readers in this work of historical fiction with a bit of mystery and an involving plot.

Note that the author’s parents experienced life under the Nazis. This adds a deep understanding to the author’s work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.

I have read 2 other books by Jenny Lecoat and enjoyed them both very much so was very pleased when I was granted this ARC from NetGalley. This book takes place after the war and it is sort of a murder mystery of who turned Jean’s father into the Germans for having a radio. He died in the prison camp due to lack of medical assistance. It does not cover much of the happenings of the war.
I found the character development good, the storyline was good and when the mystery was solved, I was completely surprised. I will be giving this one 5 stars. It’s not a true page burner but it held my interest and flowed well.
I thank Harlequin Trade Publishing along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review.

In Beyond Summerland, Jenny Lecoat provides a fascinating look into the aftermath of WWII in Jersey, Channel Islands.

The German occupation has ended, but life is still hard for nineteen-year-old Jean Parris and her mum, Violet. Her father is in a German prison camp and they fear for his safety after not hearing from him in months. Jersey is trying to pick up the pieces but simmering anger and secrets threaten to destroy Jean’s life.

Jean soon becomes suspicious of local school teacher Hazel LeTourner. Hazel lives with her ailing father above Jean’s dad’s shop. Rumors swirl that she might be responsible for her Jean 's arrest. But when Hazel learns of Jean’s secret, the two embark on a very tenuous friendship.

Beyond Summerland by Jenny Lecoat is a well-written historical novel that offers an intriguing peek into an often-forgotten time in the Channel Island’s history. Jean is rather naïve but uncovering her family’s secrets gives her the motivation to make changes in her own life. Hazel has reason to be angry but her spite takes a dark turn. The storyline is interesting with unexpected twists and turns. The town of Jersey and its war-torn history spring vibrantly to life throughout the novel.

Title: Beyond Summerland
Author: Jenny Lecoat
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The German occupation is over. The Channel Islands, the only captured territory within the British Isles, are finally liberated. But the people of Jersey are left as scarred as the landscape. No longer a “summerland” holiday paradise, the island now boils with tension as locals seek revenge on anyone suspected of collaborating with the enemy during the war.

Nineteen-year-old Jean Parris, still adjusting to this fractious peace, is shocked to learn that Hazel, a teacher who lives over her dad’s shop, may be responsible for her father’s wartime arrest and subsequent death in custody. Hazel denies all accusations but has reasons to conceal what really happened.

As rumors of Hazel’s guilt swell to a fury, Jean discovers new clues that suggest there were other, more sinister factors at play. When Hazel learns of Jean’s own ruinous secret, the women form an unexpected bond that sets them apart from the rest of Jean’s family and the frenzied demands for retribution. But in the end, Jean’s need to know the truth about her father may consume everything she once believed about her home, her family and herself.

I found this to be a depressing read, honestly. All the neighbors turning on each other were horrible. The way Jean’s family treated her, and what mean, ugly people they were was depressing. The secondary characters that I liked didn’t even make it through the novel. The writing was solid, I just found the story itself depressing.

Jenny Lecoat is a bestselling author. Beyond Summerland is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.)

After the war, what was it like for those living in the liberated Channel Islands? Two young women connect over the most difficult of circumstances and discover that life in the shadow of war is as difficult as the war years. Jenny Lecoat paints a vivid picture of Jersey, complex characters, and a dramatic tale that sticks with one after the last page is turned.

Jean Parris learns that the father she idolized and was taken up by the Germans for having a wireless radio is not coming back. Worse still, he suffered and died in a German prison and someone among her island neighbors informed on him. The anger and grief she and her family feels call for someone to pay and their suspicion falls on a young woman who spoke her mind and argued with her dad.

Hazel denies reporting Parris and there is no proof, but the islanders take it as fact and her life is upended. Oddly, the only friend she has is quiet, mousy Jean. Jean has been learning she didn’t know her dad or others as well as she thought and she’s keeping one huge guilty secret of her own. Will both women find a way to move on after the dreadful truths of their actions come out?

Beyond Summerland took place post-WWII, but for the Channel Islanders who were occupied by the Germans for five long years, recovery is slow and the pain and suffering are still echoing. Jenny Lecoat showed that people who faced deprivation and fear from the occupiers were faced with choices that seem unconscionable to others and retaliation is fierce for those who turned Nazi collaborator or informant. This tale was not rose-tinted and showed the harsh realities. My heart was touched and tears burned my eyes more than once. Bittersweetness tanged my mouth by the finish which had an epilogue that presented a resolve that felt right for what came before.

In summary, this tumultuous story born of similar real life circumstances that took place in the Channel Islands after the war was a heavy hitter for me. I am definitely going to look for more of Jenny Lecoat’s works and highly recommend Beyond Summerland to make the beach bags of historical and women’s fiction readers.

Once a summer paradise, Jersey on the Channel Islands is now recovering from German occupation during WWII. Tensions rise as retributions are threatened and accusations of collaboration surface. While Jean Parris searches for the truth about her own father, her path crosses with Hazel, a teacher who lives over her dad’s shop. Secrets that affect the entire family emerge.

It’s interesting to think about post-war Jersey and the period of rebuilding. The residents of the island felt abandoned and unprotected during the war. After the war ends, allegations of collaboration feel personal on a small island where everyone knows everyone or knows someone who knows someone. Residents are hungry, angry, and want revenge against those who collaborated or profited from dealing with the enemy. Effects of the war are evident, and Jersey is no longer the beautiful island getaway it was before the war.

The mystery of why Jean’s father was arrested and dies while imprisoned and the tenuous relationship between Jean and Hazel drive the plot as secrets are revealed.

The relationship between Jean and Hazel is more complicated than it first appears, and this adds an extra layer of intrigue. How will their conflict be resolved? Is Hazel responsible for Jean’s father’s arrest and imprisonment? What other secrets, betrayals, or alliances will be revealed?

Content Consideration: Remembrances of war

If you appreciate books set on the Channel Islands and WWII histfic, add Beyond Summerland to your TBR. Fans of World War II will appreciate this multilayered story of rebuilding after war.

Thanks #NetGalley @HTPBooks @GraydonHouse for a complimentary e ARC of #BeyondSummerland upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Took me a while to get into but that helped the story because even though this is a historical fiction WW 2 story, it bright to life the stragglers of the characters, what happened doing and after WW2 and how the characters themselves provided to be strong doing that time period. It also bright to life how you could never tell who was a friend and or wasn't which is sad and heart breaking at the same time .

Beyond Summerland is a historic fiction novel set in the post-occupation era on the English Channel Island of Jersey. The story features the secrets, lies and betrayals in this remote island community. The inhabitants have just barely survived life under the German occupation, and now they must endure the volatile transition to freedom.

The story is told from the points of view of nineteen-year-old Jean Parris and Hazel Fleury, a single woman who is teaching at the village school. Both women have endured the hunger and deprivation of World War II. The landscape is scarred by the remnants of war and the people are scarred by their losses. Initially, everyone is thrilled by the end of the war, but their continued suffering due to lack of food and supplies makes them quick to blame anyone and everyone they suspect had it easier than they did. Many people did whatever they had to in order to keep their family fed, but quickly forgot that feeling of desperation when they accuse others of bending the rules or fraternizing with the enemy.

Jean’s lack of worldliness makes her naïve and quick to look for someone to blame for the loss of her father. Hazel has a bit more experience, so she has more of an understanding of the ways of the world. However, both of them are surprised and to some degree victimized by the ugliness of neighbors turning on neighbors. During the short timeline of the novel, Jean slowly learns all her family’s many secrets and indiscretions. Through this journey, she grows immensely and the experience galvanizes her future.

Beyond Summerland is an emotionally-charged story with compelling characters and a deceit-filled and intense post-war atmosphere. An interesting read that has inspired me to do further research on the Island of Jersey during WWII!

Thank you to @htp_hive and @htpbooks for the gifted copy of the e-book.

Capturing the essence of post-World War II historical fiction, the novel delves into the aftermath of Jersey's liberation in the Channel Islands.

Jean, the protagonist, unravels unsettling family secrets that challenge her perception of her father. With his arrest and demise in a German prison, Jean suspects a neighbor, Hazel, of reporting him to the authorities. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of deception and hidden truths about her family.

The book skillfully depicts the profound impact of wartime survival and the complexities of post-war liberation. The character development of Jean and Hazel is remarkably compelling as they navigate suspicion and secrecy to form an unlikely bond.

This emotionally charged tale is poised for release on July 2nd and is certain to resonate with aficionados of historical fiction.

Another great story from Jenny Lecoat. One that pulls that heartstrings and sets you on a journey with the main character, Jean, as she tries to uncover how her father really ended up arrested by the Germans during the occupation. 

Those inhabiting the Channel Islands are still recovering from the fall out of a war that tore their families and homes apart. And the fall out is still ever present as many of them lost family, homes, and businesses. So, naturally, there are suspicions regarding who may have been German sympathizers and who may have sold out their own to the Germans.

This story was a definite difficult read at times, as all stories revolving around WWII and the Holocaust are. There was so much pain and damage done both during and after the war. 

This story just shines a light on what that looked like for this specific group of people who managed to survive the war, but suffer from its effects. 

My second read from Lecoat, I'm extremely impressed with her talent for drawing the reader into a time that we can only imagine as it was so long ago. The ending was fulfilling, yet bittersweet. I am so glad to have read this one.

Initially I gave this book 3 stars. But as I went over the story for this review I decided to bump it up to 4 stars. Here's why...

I was going to give this book 3 stars because, though, it was well written and an interesting story, things didn't go the way I wanted them to. I couldn't stand Uncle Eddie and wanted him to disappear but he just kept hanging around. Violet was too meek and mild and I became angered at the way she treated Jean. I also thought the story moved at too slow of a pace at times.

But then I remembered how the author took Hazel, a character I immediately didn't like, and made me care about her. She made me understand why Hazel was the way she was. She made me like Hazel and want her to have a happy ending to her story. In my opinion when an author does that they have done a great job at character development and storytelling. For those reasons, plus this book was just so well written, I decided it was a 4 star read after all. A story I will remember long after finishing it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

A fantastic historical fiction book set in The Channel Islands after the German Occupation of WWII. The main characters are women who are different but their stories are intertwined.

Ultimately, both Jean and Hazel know heartbreak and loss. They are not the same, yet they find truth and friendship in each other because of their circumstances. In the end, this story provides an interesting story of the aftermath of the occupation of one island and how two women (and their families) fare in this new world.

Advance reader copy provided by Graydon House and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Hmm I am still thinking about how to rate this book because I have some complicated feelings about it. I didn’t love it, but I also needed to know what happened to Mr. Parris. I’m just getting back into historical fiction after taking some time off, the biggest reason being that I read too many WWII novels in a row and got burnt out. So, I’m slowly working my way back, and this one was lighter on the history and more of a cozy mystery. While I was interested in trying to find out with what happened to Mr. Parris, I felt the story long and drawn out. I also wish that the book would have given more information on the Channel Islands and their role in the war, versus just expecting the reader to know. I think that providing some more context would have helped me feel more connected to the story, I was unsure of the role of the different parties and why it mattered to the island, and this would have made it a more enjoyable read for me. I think there was more information in the blurb than in the novel.

This was an enjoyable read, I just found it a little lacking for me and wish I would have enjoyed it more. I would recommend it to those who enjoy cozy mysteries set in the past, but not full of historical facts.

Jenny Lecoat's latest novel is set on the Island of Jersey off the coast of England, known as Summerland to the Nazi forces who invaded it. The story begins in 1945 following the liberation from the Nazis and Jean Parris and her family join the locals at the liberation gathering. The only thing is they don't feel any of the hope the others around them seem to feel. Jean's father was deported early on in the war, and when they receive the news of his death, all implications point to one woman. Hazel Le Tourneur who lives above Jean's father's old shop.

In the end they must join forces to reveal the truth, and buried secrets won't stay secret for long.

While many books have been written set during WWII, Lecoat's novel explores the aftermath of the Nazi invasion of the island of Jersey. A must read for all lovers of historical fiction.

The war has ended and the citizens of Jersey, Channel Islands, are waiting for their loved ones to return.

Some return, but the father of Jean Parris wasn't on the ship of returning soldiers.

A few days later they found out that he had perished in a prison from being arrested for a minor infraction.

Who was responsible for alerting the Germans that her father had a banned radio?

We then meet Hazel who didn't like Jean's father and who Jean is blaming for telling on her father.

But....when the two women meet, and Hazel finds out Jean has a secret, can they make a deal?

They decided Hazel won't tell on Jean if Jean will tell the police that Hazel was not the informant.

Can they trust each other?

The book was a bit confusing because of going from one character to the other without any “notice,” but other than that BEYOND SUMMERLAND is another excellent, well researched read that makes you think that even though the war was over, was it really?

Historical fiction as well as mystery fans will enjoy this book. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I could not get into this one. I kept picking it up and putting it down but I just wasn't drawn into the story and about ¼ of the way in, this one went into my Did Not Finish pile.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book was nothing short of absolutely beautiful. It hooked me in from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down.